Hey everyone - first off, thank you all for coming. I know many of you only met my dad once or twice, so it means a lot to my family that you'd take time to be here.

My dad would have loved it too. He was an incredibly friendly guy, who never met a stranger and loved having a lot of people around. I always remember being incredibly embarrassed when I was a kid because he'd get caught up in conversation with anyone at any time and anywhere. Now that I'm older, I see that was one of his best gifts. He would be extremely flattered that you all came to celebrate his life and learn a little more about him.

My dad was born in Washington state and his family owned an apple orchard, where he and his two brothers would work. He was athletic. He wrestled, played baseball and had the mile record at his school for a long time.

After school he went to the Navy where was an airplane mechanic for Attack Squadron 22 on the Coral Sea aircraft carrier in Vietnam. He enjoyed working out in the sun on the waves with his friends. And he was very proud of his service. For those who have been to San Diego, the sister ship and likeness of the Coral Sea, the Midway, is moored at Navy Pier. So if you ever get a chance to tour it you'll see how he lived then.

He must have enjoyed living in closed quarters because after the Navy he eventually made his way to San Diego where he lived in a friend's garage. He met my mom there while dancing at a country music bar where they danced and he sang into her ear, which somehow didn't scare her off. My dad loved to sing, especially karaoke, which was unfortunate for everyone. My dad passed his voice on to me and my mom would tell us both to sing very quietly at Church. Anyway, they got married 6 weeks after they met and were married for 35 years. A testament to the man he was, was that even after eventually divorcing, my mom still wanted to help him out, and did so greatly, for the past ten years during his sickness.

While married and with a kid, my dad got his masters in logistics and began working for the aerospace company General Dynamics which was purchased by Lockheed Martin. He would end up working in Cape Canaveral Florida, Denver, Alabama and Kodiak Island Alaska, helping set up launches for military and commercial satellites. It was a very fulfilling career and he enjoyed the travel and getting to meet new people.

As well as being friendly, and a hard worker, he was a great dad. He would always take time to play with me, whether it was baseball, basketball, roller hockey, sword fighting or anything else. We'd go camping, skiing, water skiing, boogie boarding and so on. He'd coach my teams and when he wasn't he'd drive me hours back and forth to practices and tournaments anyway. One of my favorite stories about my dad is how the neighborhood kids would come over to see if I could play, and if I couldn't, they'd ask my dad if he could play.

My dad also loved to read. One of my other favorite memories was of him reading The Hobbit when I was a kid, which gave me nightmares, and of course now I'm reading to Emi and Sommer to keep the tradition going. My dad and I shared a bond over Lord of the Rings and when I was in college he'd drive to Atlanta to see midnight showings of the movies with me when they first came out.

One thing I've noticed looking back at old pictures is how undeniably happy he is in every photo of him and I when I was a kid. He truly loved being a dad.

My dad became a grandpa about the same time he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Even though his health declined quickly, he loved any time he got to spend with Sommer, Emi and Jonathan. They would always make "Papa" smile and laugh. And one of the things I'm saddest about with his sickness is how it limited his ability to play with the kids as much as I know he would have wanted. He loved them so much.

I want to take this time to thank my Mom for all her help, as well as her husband Larry. They helped my dad with so much over the past years, from dealing with doctors and the government, to moving his stuff many many times. I also would like to thank Michelle and her family, the Townleys, for being so open and welcoming to my dad as we moved him here with us and including him in their family get-togethers and holidays.

My dad lost most of his ability to communicate several months before he passed, but on Christmas day he was able to hold about a five minute conversation with me. He said he was ready, and he would watch over us. He said he was excited to see his parents and his brothers.

My dad lived a good life. He was loved dearly by his parents and brothers, he served his country, had a fulfilling and exciting career, made many friends and built a wonderful family. And even as he struggled with Parkinson's and passed he was with those who loved him, and he loved, very much.

Thank you all again for coming to celebrate "Papa".